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I've installed the mod without any problems.
Is it possible to collapse all of the local sales taxes into 1 line? Instead of listing county, special district and city taxes, I would like it to combine all of these and just show "local sales tax" and the combined percentage.
I'm sorry but at present this is not an option, it might be something to consider for a future release, but I will most likely not be doing any more updates until after Zen Cart v2.0 is released.
LadyHLG
LadyHLG, thank you again for the marvelous job you have done here.Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyHLG
I hope that you will still be able to release a quick patch/fix as I discovered a glitch/pitfall in the current version: If the customer enters a ZIP+4 code, and the Local Sales Tax Mod is configured to use Zip Codes (instead of city/town names), then the Mod will not calculate local tax for that customer.
In a way, it is similar to the problem of a user entering "S Royalton" or "S. Royalton" instead of "South Royalton"... except that the ZIP+4 code problem is easily solvable in the PHP code.
(BTW, limiting the customers to enter only 5 digits for the zip code as a workaround might not be a good idea as there are countries in which there are more than 5 characters in the zip code)
Hi Lady HLG, thank you for creating and supporting such a fundamental module for ZenCart. I have a site to launch with the 2.8 Zencart. Just upgraded my local tax module and am not seeing it applied.
The store only sells in U.S., only charges 7.25% in Ca and only needs to add 1% local tax to the SF zips 94101-to-94188
I installed the module, set up a local tax to apply to the zone California (which is the only defined zone and shows the two following tax rates).
The only tax rates are Taxable California 7.25% and non-taxable California.
The only tax classes are taxable and non-taxable.
Here is the error message, if you or anyone could interpret it for me it would be greatly appreciated, I have a tough time understanding the taxes, even with the ZenCart book.
----------------------------------------
DEBUG MESSAGE: Local Tax Rec ID: 1
Tax Name: - .00
Tax based on customer billing zone 12
1 matching tax zones found
--------------------------
(YOUR TOTAL fieldset)
$90.00
Sub-Total:
$9.95
Shipping Cost (FedEx - Regular Ground ( 7-10 days) ($9.95)):
$6.53
CA Sales Tax:
$106.48
Total:
Thank you for any help.
Julie
Did you mean ZenCart version 1.3.8?Quote:
Originally Posted by askjv
What version of the mod are you using?
From the output you posted something strange is happening with the mod but I cant be sure if its a bug or some kind of setup issue.
If you are running the current version can you turn on Level 2 Debugging and either post the output or send it to me via pm?
LadyHLG
Another thank you for this module, Lady HLG.
I have a few questions of you or anyone who has gotten this set up for CA.
I'm using current version Zen v1.3.8 Local Sales Tax Mod v2-3. Initially I used the county method which worked fantastically but returned an address like:
Name
Street
City
CA- County
zip
This was okay but my boss wanted his ability to print shipping labels from PayPal so I switched us from PayPal IPN to Express Checkout. PayPal did not like the CA-County set up for State and didn't add taxes on. In a different thread I saw some very casual discussion of converting "CA. - County" into just "CA" so it works with PayPal. I didn't bookmark that thread and hope I've remembered enough for this question to make sense.
The other question I had is based on post #80 in this thread. So, after realizing I wouldn't get taxes added through Express checkout, not with the way I had counties set up, I've tinkered with it and gone this route:
One California Zone tax -Flat rate tax for everyone 7.25% (Order_Total sort order 299, zone priority 1)
A local tax through the mod of .5% to get my home county tax of 7.75% (using city;city;city to search)
and an additional local tax through the mod for my city of 1.0%, city tax of 8.75% (using zip-zip to search)
State tax is added but not the additional (upcharges?) to get to county or city tax.
What might I be missing to make the county and city tax work, so customer is charged either CA tax or CA tax+.5% if the live in my county, or CA tax =1% if they live in my city?
JinkyO,
To help you correct the issue with paypal we will need some help from someone more familiar with PayPal Express to find where to update the code to strip the unwanted extra characters from the state, not a difficult thing to do, but I really dont have the time to search the code to find it right now.
As for your other issue, did you turn on debugging for the mod? If so what did you get for output?
LadyHLG
Hi,
I just started working on a new store and I need have a sales tax solution for Ohio. Is the mod going to work with Ohio Sales Tax as is or I need some custom change. Please help.
Thanks
I'm afraid I am not familiar with the specific needs of Ohio sales tax so I can't really answer that.
Can you provide more information?
LadyHLG
Ohio sales tax is charged based on county and Zip code. I previously used an oscommerce contrib(http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/2956) on a OscMax site. Not sure the same one will work for Zen-cart or not.
Thanks
If you set up Ohio counties as zones and then use the local mod to create the sales taxes by zip code then yes this will work.
There is a section in the mod README file called Helpful Tips that explains how to set up state counties as zones.
From there you would have to create each zip code based sales tax for each county.
I hope that answers your question.
LadyHLG
I'll give it a try.
Thank you.
LadyHLG,
Would this mod work for the distination based sales tax that is by streets and blocks? Basically Washington State now calculates what is called destination based sales tax. It is not calculated by city or zip, but it can actually change by block! It is very frustrating, but what can you do you know?
Anyways, this looks like it may be the solution, just thought I would see what your thoughts are about it.
So I decided this mod was probably the best solution for WA destination based sales tax. When I went to install the SQL script though it simply says "failed" no error message given or anything. I am trying to install v2.2 on 1.3.8 any idea what's going on?
Posted via Mobile Device
Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyHLG
Thanks for getting back to me and thank you for your reply to someone else in post #90 of this thread because that really helped me understand how this mod works. Since posting I think I solved my problems.
A few things I'd messed up on my end where:
forgetting the "-to-" separator between my zipcodes, I was just doing zipcode-zipcode.
Also in the "zen" moments of throwing baby and bathwater around, I'd set the sort order for local tax higher than the zone tax.
So after fixing the first, the local taxes did add in but weren't being displayed as "local tax $xx" And after fixing the second I got everything sorted.
On the other issue of stripping out characters from the PayPal Express module, I don't need that anymore. This set up (applying local tax atop my State tax) works perfectly.
Looks like some others were getting the same 'failed' response when installing this mod. So I went thru the thread and found this and it worked. Add the semi-colon at the end of the pasted SQL query voila!.Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyHLG
OK I thought it was all working, at least the SQL work and I have the local sales tax module in the total and under the tax rates.
I added one city (Lynnwood) with a tax rate of 9.5% (I also just tried the zip code) but nothing shows up on the check out page and it is NOT added to the total.
Any thoughts? I tried from scratch 2.2, added 2.3 and still nothing add to the cart.
Here is the debug results:
Your Total Local Tax Rec ID: 1
Tax Name: -
Tax based on customer shipping zone 62
1 matching tax zones found
$8.00
Sub-Total:
$6.45
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.26lbs) (Priority Mail (2 - 3 days)):
$1.28
WA State Sales Tax:
$15.73
Total:
I figured it out. It has to do with the case sensitivity of the city name, AND the billing location (not the shipping location).Quote:
Originally Posted by inkuyo
So Example: bothell is NOT the same as Bothell.
Now I just have to think about how to implement this....
A Correction The tax is based on the Shipping Address.
inkuyo,
Try this:
Open the following file.
\includes\modules\order_total\ot_local_sales_taxes.php
at about line 170 find
and replace it withCode:if($myfield == $value){
See if that fixes the issue.Code:if(strtolower($myfield) == strtolower($value)){
LadyHLG
Feature request :ohmy:
How much work would it be to reference the tax lookup tool instead of the database for all washington state taxes? You would be our hero if it could be implemented!
http://dor.wa.gov/Content/FindTaxesA...Interface.aspx
I've written a bit of PHP to send the city/state/zip and parse the URL results if you are interested.
I too would love to have it. I don't have the time right now, but will take a look more in depth. Had not been extremely important since most of my clients sales have been out of state. Local sales tax mod works OK but is a lot of manual input.Quote:
Originally Posted by Defined By Eye
I need to correct an earlier comment about the calculation of SHIPPING versus BILLING address. That setting is done under --> configurtion --> my store --> Basis of Product Tax.
If you want to PM the PHP code you have written I can see if it can work as the basis. All in all it looks like it would be a mod of the local sales tax mod coding and be used for ONLY WA given that it calls for the sales tax codes in WA.
Maybe in the next few weeks I can take a closer look. It would make life easier, especially since the tax rates go up AGAIN on April first.
Google Checkout Solution
----
I have only tested this for about 5 minutes but it worked every time. :) Give this a shot to incorporate this mod into your Google Checkout.
In gcheckout.php (on or around line 719 there is a SQL query, I changed mine to:
$tax_result = $db->Execute("SELECT
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_id,
zen_tax_rates_local.zone_id,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_fieldmatch,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_datamatch,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_rate,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_label,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_shipping,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_class_id
FROM
zen_tax_rates_local
WHERE
zen_tax_rates_local.local_datamatch = " . SHIPPING_ORIGIN_ZIP . "");
on or around line 743 you should see
$rate = ((double)($tax_result->fields['tax_rate']))/100.0;
change that to
$rate = ((double)($tax_result->fields['local_tax_rate']))/100.0;
I also got rid of a few lines. You won't be able to copy/paste my changes but this will definitely get you 80% there. I have pasted the entire foreach below. Modify as necessary. I'm doing zip code lookups. It will only work with zip codes.
Code:foreach($tax_array as $tax_table) {
$tax_result = $db->Execute("SELECT
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_id,
zen_tax_rates_local.zone_id,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_fieldmatch,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_datamatch,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_rate,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_label,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_shipping,
zen_tax_rates_local.local_tax_class_id
FROM
zen_tax_rates_local
WHERE
zen_tax_rates_local.local_datamatch = " . SHIPPING_ORIGIN_ZIP . "");
$num_rows = $tax_result->RecordCount();
$tax_rule = array();
$GAtaxTable = new GoogleAlternateTaxTable((!empty($tax_name_array[$i])?$tax_name_array[$i]:'none'), 'false');
for($j=0; $j<$num_rows; $j++) {
$tax_result->MoveNext();
$rate = ((double)($tax_result->fields['local_tax_rate']))/100.0;
$GAtaxRule = new GoogleAlternateTaxRule($rate);
$GAtaxRule->SetStateAreas("CA");
$GAtaxTable->AddAlternateTaxRules($GAtaxRule);
}
$i++;
$Gcart->AddAlternateTaxTables($GAtaxTable);
}
First of all, Thank You for this mod. Ok I finally got this mod to work but I am having a few issue. Am using zen cart 1.3.8 and I am using PayPal Express as my only method of payment. My business is base in california and i set my tax rate for california at 7.25, then I use the local tax mod to calulate by zip code to add .50 to customers who I ship to in my county. It work flawlessly and my invoice on zen cart would read:
Sub-Total: $36.90
Zone Rates (Shipping to US): $9.80
CA Sales Tax: $2.68
92592 Local sales tax 0.50%: $0.18
Total: $49.56
But on my PayPal invoice it would read:
Item Amount:
$36.90 USD
Shipping:
$9.80 USD
Handling:
$2.68 USD
Quantity:
1
Sales Tax:
$0.18 USD
PayPal is using the ca sales tax data and reading it as Handling, and using the local sales tax as the sales tax. Is there a way to get PayPal to use my ca sales tax and the local sales tax and read it as sales tax only. I've read the above post but I was scared to use it since it was only 80% of the code and wouldn't be able to figure out the other 20%. Please help. Your knowledge is very much appreciated. Thanks in Advance.
Anyone please help. Someone gotta know how to fix this.
phoeuth,
I'm sorry for the delay in responding, but the paypal modules are far from simple and it takes a while to track down an issue like this.
From what I can tell the problem is that the paypal mods are not setup to handle multiple taxes. Its only looking for one tax, it finds it and any difference in the total it simply adds it on as handling.
The other issue here is that I dont use paypal express, which makes the problem difficult to trouble shoot.
I will keep looking into it as best I can, but this may require the assistance of someone who is more familiar with the paypal payment mods than I am.
LadyHLG
Hello,Quote:
Originally Posted by zcnb
I was wondering if there was any progress on this particular glitch. I am using ZIP+4 codes and this has become quite an obstacle.
Thank you.
patternman,
Try this,
Open includes\modules\order_total\ot_local_sales_taxes.php
At about line 151 look for :
Just after that add the following:Code:$listarray = explode(";", $taxto);
This fix will only work when the CUSTOMER enters zip+4 NOT if the database is set up for zip+4!Code:// get only first 5 of zip code
if($taxmatch == "postcode"){
$myfield = substr($myfield,0,5);
}
Hope that helps!
LadyHLG
Awesome!
That worked just fine.
Thank you so much.:D
I need to charge a local tax on a specific type of product but no state tax on that product, on other product I need to charge both a state and a local tax.
Consumable items (like coffee) are not charged an Arizona sales tax but,
Consumable items (like coffee) are charged an Scottsdale City sales tax 1.65 %
Non Consumable (coffee pots) are charged a AZ sales tax 6.3 % and a Scottsdale sales tax of 1.65%
The mod is install and I have set up the local tax rate, but no local tax is charged.
I have set a seperate tax class for the the local tax, because the consumable product was being taxed at the state tax rate with no local tax included.
Any idea of where I am going wrong
Cafinity,
Check your mod sort order.
LadyHLG
Okay, it's chargeing the local sales tax and adding it to the total,
but it is not displaying the actual tax ammount.
The display show state sales tax 0 which is correct. (No state tax for this product) There is no display for the local tax ammount but it is added to the total ammount. How do I get the local tax to display?
Cafinity,
I think you still need to adjust the sort order some more.
Make the sort order for the local sales tax mod lower than that for the tax. So if your tax sort order is 300 make the local sales tax 299.
LadyHLG
That was the fix.
Thankyou for your help
I have been using this mod successfully for about a year and I am about to set up a new site. Since CA just had a major update to most of its local tax rates I was wondering if I could just use MySQL to upload the new rates. I was able to download all the rates from the BOE's website in the following format:
City Tax County
Acampo 8.750% San Joaquin
Acton 9.250% Los Angeles
Adelaida 8.250% San Luis Obispo
Adelanto 8.750% San Bernardino
Adin 8.250% Modoc
Problem is, I am not too sharp with MySQL... Can anyone assist with this? I am also attaching the 2009 CA City rates for anyone else that might need them (csv format)!
Here is that file... I had to save it as a CSV to meet the forum file size guidelines.
psychicpet,
Are you using these rates strictly as a city name match or are you using them in some combination with the county name for more specific tax matches? Each solution will require a very different set up.
LadyHLG
DUDE!!!!! YOUR ROCK!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by psychicpet
I have been trying to get these rates for a week now! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!:clap::hug::blush:
LadyHLG,
I have one site where I did it all by zip code without using the CSV info I posted. I am setting up a new site and I am hoping to do it by city.
Anyone have advice on how to upload that data via MySQL?
thanks
psychicpet,
In order to upload the data you will need to get the data organized first. The data provided as is from the state of CA will not work as I am sure there are duplicate city names (this happens when a city spans more than one county and therefore may have different tax rates for different parts of the city in each county). The only way you can have duplicate city names is if you are using counties as zones and each city name is linked to a different zone (i.e county). This is not a simple process, but is much more accurate than assigining a single tax rate to a city name.
If you do not want to use the cities by county method then you will have remove all the duplicate city names otherwise you will run into problems with the tax mod.
Once you get the data organized that far I can help you get it into the proper format to upload via mysql.
LadyHLG
I have reorganized and sorted the data by county so now it is: County, City, Tax. I am not adverse to setting tax using county if that will make it more accurate.
psychicpet,
As I said in my previous post, the city by county method is considerably more complicated to set up.
To use this method you will have to set up each county in CA as a zone. Then the tax file you have will have be modified to reference each zone id for each county name.
There are a lot of CA business using Zen so it is possible that someone out there has already done this and could share their zone tables with you (it would depend on their needs vs your needs in terms of international zones). Otherwise you will need to set each of these up yourself. There are instructions in the mod README file on how to set up counties as zones. Unfortunately its a lengthy process.
LadyHLG
What is the best way to set up the database to use and require Zip+4? The State of WA is telling us that because of the multiple taxes within each Zip that the ZIP+4 is the only proper method to use.Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyHLG
Also, there were questions/comments within the thread that asking about linking to the State of WA's database to check. Has anyone been able to do that?
Quote:
Originally Posted by techdog
Indeed, I am also in the State of WA.
At first I just wanted to use the first 5 numbers - and the solution worked. But I trashed that idea eventually because it wasn't really accurate.
I have no idea about a mod to link to the state's database, but that would sure be helpful.
So I used the excel sheet from the dor for the ZIP+4 rates (short version).
I then had to do heaps of work to get the zip codes into a list of ranges - to cut down on the size of the whole thing. This saved a lot of space, but the list is still quite huge.
Then had to get it into the format to use with this mod (which has been very nice). Then uploaded it using Access. Here are the column headings that I used:
local_tax_id should be numerically sequenced 1 thru ...
zone_id should all be the same for the WA zone -- 62
local_fieldmatch should all be the same -- postcode
local_datamatch should be the list of zip code ranges
local_tax_rate should be the list of local rates formatted as 2.1 instead of 0.021.
local_tax_label is the list of city names
local_tax_shipping should all be the same -- false
local_tax_class_id should all be the same – 1
One of the tricks to using the ZIP+4 is that the customers need to give you a ZIP+4. So I am using the Post Office CASS Address Verification module:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...987#post659987
My setup works quite well. You can check out my store at www.fashionpatterns.com. There is a small delay at checkout when the correct tax code has to be found.
I went ahead and dumped my local tax table and am posting it here in case anyone would like to have it.
http://www.fashionpatterns.com/downl...tes_090410.zip
I have been reluctant to post this because I offer no real help or guarantees of it working correctly. Nor am I ready to offer updates every three months when the state changes their rates. But if helps, go ahead and use it.
-Jason A.
OK Thanks. I've checked out the CASS Address verification and it looks easy enough. Question though - how do you upload the the information using Access? Do you just import it into the mysql database? I don't use access but I can create csv, xml, excel, etc. files using FileMaker Pro. I've just never thought of how to upload the information from outside of the initial interface.
Thanks again.
Karl
Hi Karl,Quote:
Originally Posted by techdog
Using MS Access was just the convenient tool for me at the time. If you have a better or easier way to do it, please do that instead.
I've attached a pdf file for using Access to do this. I wrote this for myself so that I could do it again if needed (because I will surely forget).
Cheers.
Jason
Thanks for the Local Sales Tax Mod! It makes the sales tax issue simple! Question for you.
I am using the local sales tax to search the suburb field. (I'm in OH, so I use the suburb field for counties). Whether i use Store Pickup or Shipping Address, multiple lines for the same tax are displayed on the screen. (Please see screen shots).
Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue? Thanks!
juills,
I'm not sure where the issue is, the mod appears to be functioning correctly. 7% sales tax on $2.75 is $.19.
Those lines above are only for debugging to show which records are zone matches.
LadyHLG
Is there a way to turn the debugging off?Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyHLG
Modules -> Order Total -> Local Sales Taxes -> Debugging is Active = False
LadyHLG
Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyHLG
That solved the issue. Thanks so much for your help LadyHLG!
psychicpet + LadyHLGQuote:
Originally Posted by psychicpet
Have prev done taxes via zip with a hack/mod but since Ca update in 2009 I wanted a easy way to make these changes as our taxes will surely go up again:yuck:
Am trying to do the same thing here "counties as zones" setup for California and realize thats alot of work to do this, well over 1000+ records to do. I was hoping there would be a SQL file to just add this to the database..... :no:
So if anyone has something already setup that can share that would be great, if not if LadyHLG has a starter script for adding these zones to SQL I could start creating the script(s).
Needed for SQL script(s) is;
- Zone for each county in California
- Zone definition for each county
- Adding the details for each definition
- Tax rate for each county
Let me know if I left out anything as I'm sure theres more to this than a few SQL scripts.
Thanks in advance for any help that is offered:flex:
Unfortunately there is no starter script for this, at least not by me. There are a lot of CA business out there using zen and it certainly is possible that someone has already done a counties as zone set up, its all a matter of finding someone who would share it.
Wish I could be of more help!
Something tells me that once its done you will have quite a few others asking for it as well.
LadyHLG
Sounds like this mod is exactly what I need!
I'm a newbie so I'm clueless on how to install this as stated: Copy all files inside the catalog folder to your cart.
Thanks in advance!
If possible I just need specific instructions on where to go and how to install this mod please. Thanks!
I uploaded to files through ftp at my host but I'm not sure if I put them in the write folders.
I did get the sql patch to work by adding ; as stated earlier in this thread.
So the folders must not be in the right spot because nothing is showing in the admin.
Help please.
First make sure you have both version 2.2 and 2.3. Version 2.3 is only an upgrade to version 2.2.
Unzip the version 2.2 files.
Open the folder called "fullversion". Inside you should see a folder called "catalog" and another folder called sqlfiles. You can ignore everything in the folder called "upgrade". Those files are only for people who have already installed previous versions of the mod.
Open the catalog folder and copy everything in that folder (NOT THE CATALOG FOLDER, JUST WHAT IS INSIDE) over to the root directory of your zencart.
Log into your cart admin and go to Tools->Install SQL Patches
Click the Browse button on the the Install SQL Patches Page and go the the sqlfiles folder, inside that is another folder called NewInstall with a file inside called "LocalSalesTaxv2.2.sql." Select it and then click the UPLOAD button.
Once the sql file has been installed you can then open the 2.3 version, open the catalog folder and copy everything in that folder over to the root directory of your zencart (it will overwrite some of the version 2.2 files but that is ok).
From there just follow the rest of the instructions in the README.html file on how to set up and use the module.
Good Luck
LadyHLG
Thank you for the reply, but this is what I'm confused about, sorry,
Open the catalog folder and copy everything in that folder (NOT THE CATALOG FOLDER, JUST WHAT IS INSIDE) over to the root directory of your zencart.
How do i do the above and what is the root folder?
Its the folder where you zencart files are, it all depends on how you installed the cart.Quote:
Originally Posted by EAPerformanceParts
example
If you put your cart files in a folder called store, then the website address for those files would be www.mysite.com/store
This means that "store" is the root folder of cart files.
Does that make sense?
LadyHLG
Yes that is what mine is "store"
And inside that is multiple folders starting with admin and so on, but it also has an includes.
So do I upload your admin to my main admin? Your includes to my includes or the includes in the main admin?
LOL very confusing to me, Believe me I'm trying though.
Dont put the mod admin folder inside your admin folder. Put the files inside that folder inside your admin folder. Same goes for the includes folder.Quote:
Originally Posted by EAPerformanceParts
Each individual php in each individual folder?
And I hope I didnt mess something up by putting the folders in the wrong location, did I?
I've tried putting the folders in several locations and nothing is working. I'm clueless???
What version of the mod are you trying to install?
2.2 full version then I was going to install 2.3
I'm not sure how else to explain this.
When you FTP files you dont have to move things individually.
Just move the entire mod admin folder to where your admin folder is, same place but not in it, same for the includes folder.
This will copy the files over into their correct places.
LadyHLG
Grrr, no clue what I did but the local tax is there now.
Thank you so much for being patient with me. I hate being a newb.:yuck:
Hopefully the rest will go smooth.
Thanks Again :clap:
Well it went smooth for a while but I have a new problem.
I followed the instructions on setting up the zones, etc.. and did the sales tax by county.
I made a test customer with my personal address there and this is the error message I receive on checkout:
The address information you entered does not appear to be valid or cannot be matched. Please select or add a different address and try again. (10736)
This is what the address looked like per the instructions minus the X's to block my address which is valid:
Test Customer
XXXX XXXXXXX XXX
North Port, FLORIDA - SARASOTA 34287
United States
Any idea what the problem is?
Just thinking here but the only thing I can come up with is the address is including the county in the state location. So when the address is verified it can't be due to more than just the state being there. Not sure though, hopefully someone can chime in. Thanks.
Well the error itself has nothing to do with the sales tax mod.
It is most likely in how you set up your counties by zones.
I have included specific instructions in section 6 of the readme.html file for version 2.3 on how to do this, but read it carefully and go slow as setting up zones can be a very confusing process.
Something I forgot to include in the readme file is that most (if not all) shipping and payment modules require a 2 digit abbreviation for your state. Anything else and it will not recognize it.
So when it is checking you address if you have "FL - JACKSON" for your zone code instead of just FL, the shipping mods will not recognize the address to return a shipping price.
The trouble is I dont know if you can have multiple zones with the same zone code which is why my instructions say not to(for a time it was not possible, but I think that may have changed). For my setup I simply added a couple of lines to the shipping mod to fix the issue, it just depends on what shipping methods you are using.
LadyHLG
Ok, like I said I just followed the instructions in the readme file. I will see what I can change.
What do you mean you added a couple lines to the mod to fix the issue? If I change the current setup, the customer wont be able to pick the county they live in which creates the correct tax amount.
I changed the shipping mods not the sales tax mod.
Where and what all depends on what shipping method you are using.
As I said, this may not be necessary. It may be possible to have more than one zone with the same zone code now. I'm simply not sure.
LadyHLG
Forgot to add that I am just using "per unit" shipping.
I tried to change the zone names and it lets you have more than one name the same, but when I changed the customers address it only added tax for the first zone with the two letter abbreviation.
Yes it does work now with multiple zones having the same name. It was my mistake, I used a zone I didnt have setup yet and thats why the taxes were not showing. :lamo:
Thanks!
I am glad to hear things are working now.
LadyHLG
Hi LadyG.
Thank you for this plug-in. It is amazing and works perfectly for me. the version 2 seems to work lovely with no issues. Should i upgrade to version 3?
Also, if i upgrade, will i have to re-enter the the tax rates?
Thanks
Craig
Craig,
Version 2.3 does contain some bug fixes, its not a bad idea to upgrade.
Since its a file-only upgrade it will not effect any of the data.
If you have any concerns about installing the upgrade simple make sure you have a backup of your cart files before you start, that way if you run into any issues you can simply restore the origional files.
Good luck.
LadyHLG
Thank You. I upgraded with no issues. Everything still working lovely. Thanks again for the great plug-in...
Craig
Sorry LadyG,
Their is one more thing i may need help with. In version 2 i listed my zips with a space after the semicolon. (33555; 33666).
Now, it seems in version 3 I should leave the space out (33555;33666).
My question is, should i go back into the rates i've entered in version 2 and erase the spaces after the semicolon?
Thank You
Craig
Also, I'm not sure if this is related to my above post, but now, when i get past the shipping to checkout. It lists all my local tax zones before giving the total.
For instance: It lists
Local Tax Rec ID: 1
Tax Name: -
all the way to...
Local Tax Rec ID: 28
Tax Name: -
Then under that list it says...
Tax based on customer shipping zone 190
27 matching tax zones found
Then it finally gives the total, with the correct tax added. Do you know where that list could be coming from?
Thanks
Craig
Sorry for all the posts LadyG. The issue was, that i needed to uninstall and reinstall the order total module after the upgrade.
The list i was refering to disappeared after this. And then i also went into the zips i entered in version 2 and removed the spaces after the semi-colon.
Now I am officially working and upgraded.
Your plug-in has saved me tons of time. As soon as i start making some sales here, i will be sure to donate for your great work.
Also, do you have a mailing list to inform of updates?
Thanks again
Craig
Craig,
The space within the zip codes should not matter, the mod should be able to handle it either way.
The extra data you are seeing is the debugging option.
Go to Modules -> Order Total and look under the settings for the Local Sales Tax Mod, you can turn it off there.
LadyHLG
Hi Craig,
Opps! I missed your last post, glad you figured out what was happening.
As for a mailing list, I'm afraid this post is the closest thing I have to one. If you stay subscribed to it any important upgrades or issues will be posted here.
Have a good day!
LadyHLG
Versions
ZenCart 1.3.8
Local Sales Tax 2.3
I am charging sales Tax for GA.
Set up New Zone Definition called Georgia
Added Zone of Gerogia with 4% rate
That works and taxes 4% correctly
Added Local Sales Tax and defined every zip code with their tax rates of 1% - 3%
But cannot get the local Sales Tax to show up?
Example of entry in the local tax table:
ID Tax Zone Apply To Look For Tax Rate Tax Description Tax Shipping Tax Class Action
2 postcode 31563 3.0000 Appling true Taxable Goods
Every time I go to edit the Tax Zone drop down has no choices but "Select Zone" So it is blank in the table. Do I need a tax zone set?
I tried shipping and billing address zip of 31563 and set to tax on shipping, then tried billing, then tried store.
Changed the order of the local sales tax module to 299 with tax at 300. Tried swapping them too.
Every time the tax comes up 4% only, just showing the GA state tax zone I set up. It needs to then show 3% for Appling County and be a total of 7%.
I know I am missing something, but I have read and tried all your posts with no luck. Can you point me in the right direction.
My thought is to go into the db and add my Tax Zone of Georgia to all the entries in the table?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks kramergutt
I'm not sure what is happening for you. The only time I get the the zone drop down box on the local sales tax mod to show empty is when I do not select a country from the box above.
So before we can proceed we need to make sure your countries and zones are tied together correctly. Also, because the zone box is filled in via Javascript when a country is select, I wonder if it could possibly be a browser issue?
LadyHLG
Well that was it. I did not realize that. Guess some of us don't catch on that quick. So in your debug mode I see it is adding the local sales tax, but it still does not show up on the right for the total calculation. I'd like the customer to be able to see that local sales tax. How can I do that.
Thanks, your module is great by the way!
Generally, if the tax is being added but not showing on checkout you need to adjust the mod sort order. Modules -> Order Total
LadyHLG
Thanks, all good!
Is there a way to have the local sales tax mod look at just the zip code to determine sales tax? My state has different sales tax rates for each county BUT I don't want my customers to have to pick a particular county when they create an account or type in a shipping address. (e.g. How can I expect an out of state customer to know the names of counties within my state?) Can someone give me an idea on how to set this up? I am so confused with zone names, zone definitions, zone codes, zone descriptions, etc.
State: Nevada
Counties: Clark, Nye, Mineral
Tax rates: Clark=8.1%, Nye=7.1%, Mineral=6.85%
Zip codes:
Clark=88901-88905;
Nye=89003-89409;
Mineral=89415;
CustomBooks,
I'm not sure I understand, why would your customers be looking up your county? If sales tax for your state is determined by your county then all you need to do is set up one sales tax for your county and apply it to everything thing.
Usually if counties are involved in figuring out sales tax then its the county to which you are shipping the item (certainly a customer will know their own county). In most cases of an out of state customer wouldn't pay any sales tax. But of course, this really depends on the sales tax laws in your state. I suggest verifying the laws before going too far with the setups.
But to answer your origional question, yes, the local sales tax mod will apply tax based just on zip code. You only have to have a zone set up for the state that the zip codes are in (which should already be done with the default cart set ups). So when you go to set up the local tax all you have to do is select Nevada from the zones.
Does this make sense?
LadyHLG
LadyHLG-
Thanks for your speedy reply; I'm afraid I need more direction. Yes, an out-of-state customer pays sales tax if the item ships to a Nevada address because MY business resides in Nevada. Sales tax in Nevada in based on the shipping address, and the tax rate varies by county. The problem is I can't expect out-of-state customers to know which Nevada county they are shipping to. I tried to follow the redme files for version 2.3 - helpful tips - how to set up counties as zones, and when I removed the state of Nevada as a zone, all I had were the counties in Nevada when someone needed to fill in an addresss. I would like the local sales tax mod to key off of zip code instead of county. Does that make sense? How do I do that?
CustomBooks,
So if I understand this correctly you are working under the assumption that someone from out of state might ship to someone in Nevada? I guess that makes sense.
Ok you can do one of two things,
Option 1
Leave the counties as they are, in which case someone from out of state will have to find out what county they are shipping to on their own, (not really that difficult to do on the internet but you never know if the customer will figure that out). Then tax based on the county. This option doesn't really require the local sales tax mod at all unless you have to apply additional sales tax based on city or something like that.
Option 2 -
Remove the counties completely from the zones and re-add Nevada (one entry for the whole state) back in as a zone by itself. Then set up all the zip codes in Nevada for local taxes.
It really has to be one or the other.
Is this making any more sense?
LadyHLG
LadyHLG-
Yes, I do have out-of-state customers shipping to Nevada and this poses a problem. With one sales tax zone, I either charge the lowest county sales tax rate (and lose money) or charge the highest county sales tax rate (and overcharge).
I don't want to make my out-of-state customers pick a county when they enter an address, so option one is out.
So, option two. How do I "set up all the zip codes in Nevada for local taxes"? I'm not quite sure how to use the local sales tax modification. There are 6 different sales tax rates within the state and 17 counties. If I use Nevada as my zone, are the sales tax rates (6.85%, 7.1% etc) my zone definitions? Or are the counties my zone definitions? Several counties have the same sales tax rate. Here's what I setup, however, it does not seem to be working correctly. Suggestions?
Tax Zone=Nevada
Apply To=postcode
Look For=89701-89703;89706;89711-89714;89721;
Tax Rate=7.4750
Tax Description=Carson
Tax Shipping=true
Tax Class=Taxable Goods
CustomBooks,
If you are taxing purely based on the ship to zip code than you will not have to use zone definitions or zen cart zone taxes at all.
So you would have your countries set up (with USA and any other countries you ship to). Then you would have your states set up as zones, including Nevada (just Nevada not counties).
You do not need to set up anything else as far as zone definitions or zen cart tax rates (you do however need tax classes set up!).
All the sales taxes will be handled by the Local Sales Tax Mod.
So set up each tax rate with all corresponding zip codes exactly as you described.
Tax Zone=Nevada
Apply To=postcode
Look For=89701-89703;89706;89711-89714;89721;
Tax Rate=7.4750
Tax Description=Carson
Tax Shipping=true
Tax Class=Taxable Goods
LadyHLG
LadyHLG-
Eureka! I removed the excess zen cart tax definitions and tax rates and everything is working as expected except for:
Zip codes in range of "89830-89835;" is not being recognized by the local sales tax mod. I thought I could use the hyphen to specify range. However, "89830-to-89835;" works fine.
And, here's another problem: If I don't have a Nevada zip code defined (let's say the Post Office adds a new zip code and I am unaware) - no sales tax is charged (of course).
Is there a way to specify all undefined 89xxx zip codes should default to a minimum 6.85% sales tax within the local sales tax mod? Or, can I add one general Nevada zen cart tax rate and give it a lower priority (somehow) so it kicks in if the local sales tax mod doesn't find a matching zip code in its database?
CustomBooks,
The only way to do this kind of thing would be to set up a zone tax for Nevada of 6.85% then set each zip code tax to whatever the additional tax is for that area.Quote:
Is there a way to specify all undefined 89xxx zip codes should default to a minimum 6.85% sales tax within the local sales tax mod? Or, can I add one general Nevada zen cart tax rate and give it a lower priority (somehow) so it kicks in if the local sales tax mod doesn't find a matching zip code in its database?
So, as an example, if zip code 89830 has a total sales tax of 7.0% you would set the zip code tax at .15%. The cart would then apply a statewide tax of 6.85% to all orders in Nevada and then additional .15% to all orders in 89830 totaling your 7.0% sales tax.
LadyHLG
LadyHLG-
Got it! Many, many thanks for all your help.
You are welcome!:smile:
LadyHLG
Hi,
I'm using zc 1.3.8a, and I've managed to install the mod and the upgrade. Yesterday I downloaded a file that had all the New York State counties and respective tax rates, called zencart_local_tax_ny.sql
Although the mod is working, I can't figure out how to incorporate that file (which loaded and can be found in the database). I also can't remember where the heck I found it! I've searched this thread, the previous one, and the "free software add-ons" section. I was hoping to ask the writer for advice.
Any info would be greatly appreciated, and thank you to LadyHLG for all of her unselfish and gracious work. :clap:
therealex,
It could be possible that the file you have is not meant to work with this particular mod. There have been several local tax mods developed over the years, and I am certain that there have been some specifically designed for NY.
If the file you have was created for this mod it should have over written your local sales tax table and you would see that data in the admin interface for the mod.
There have been files posted by other members specifically for this mod for NY, I'm not sure how up-to-date they will be but it might be a place to start.
In addition to this current thread there is an older support thread HERE.
This one is specifically for NY
Hope that helps!
LadyHLG